Combined cigarette case and lighter



Feb. 1, 1949.

H. E. MUSSELMAN lETAL COMBINED CIGARETTE CASE AND LIGHTER Filed-Jan. 2e,1946 M, MMM n o/u r miam M.

Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES frlfTE-,Nfi oFFice coMBINEDcIGAnETTEcAsE f AND LIGHTERv Y Hem-y E. Miisslmn and William H. Buck,

Kalamazoo, Mich;

lsanitation"Jammie 26, 1946, serial No. 643,564

f Objects relating to details and economies of the inventionwill appearfrom the description to follow. Theinvention is dened and pointed out inthe claims. 'Y Y f A preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated in the' accompanying drawing, in

which: Y

Fig. 1 is a side, elevation gofastructure embodying my invention. Vf

Fig. 2 is a view mainly in vertical section from iront torear with thecover open and a package of cigarettes arranged in the case. l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan vview sectioned through the cover hinge ears.i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on lined-4 of Figs. 1and 2.

Fig. 5 is anV enlargedfragmentary view in sec tion on line 54-5'of"Fig's. j1`and 3 showing the details 'of the cover retainingmeans.

Fig. 6 is aY perspective view .of the parts of the igniter.

The embodiment of our invention illustrated comprises a body member Iformed integrally of molded plastic and having a cigarette compartment 2of substantially rectangular cross section and desirably of suchdimensions as to receive a complete package of cigarettes with the upperend A ofthe package projecting from the compartment,

2 claims., (c1. 2o6f41-4) means Vdesignated generally by the vnumeral IIprojecting from the compartment. Y

The shell 9 is supported by the longitudinal ribs I2 formed on the innerwall of the chamber 8 to coact withthe front Wall 4 in supporting theshell. The inner faces of these ribs are curved to t the shell. i

The lighter body member I!) is provided with an angular guard member I3,one arm of which embraces the body member I0, the other arm projectingupwardly vat the side of the lcigarette 'l package 3 t'o constitute ashield I4.

the package being indicated at 3 in Fig. 2. The

- front wall of the compartment has internal 1ongitudinal laterallyspaced ribs 5,` the ribs having outwardly inclined inner edge portions 6adapted v A to guide the cigarette package Vintowedging en-Y gagementwith the lower portions of the ribs soY that the carton of cigarettesmaybe pushed into the compartment without likelihood of crushing thecigarettes and at the same time the package is eiectively retained.

The body member also has an integral longitudinal boss-like enlargementlchambered at 8 to removably receive the lighter which in this casecomprises thevtubular shell 9 closed at its inner end and the lighterproper I 0 having ignition The .body member is provided with aperipheral rib I5 inispaced relation to its upper edge and constitutinga cover supporting ledge I6. The cover I'I. is also desirably formed ofplastic and is providedcwith'pivot ears I8 receiving the pin or pintleI9 carried by the boss-like enlargement 20 on the rear Walllof the bodymember.

The cover has a compartment 2I complemental tothe compartment 2 of thebody member and radapted to receive the projecting end of the cigaretteypackage. The cover member is provided Withfa boss-like enlargement 22 onits swinging end chambered at 23 to receive the metal snufler cap 24Which closes over the ignition means of the igniter.

A gasket I3I is provided on the outer side of the'guard memberand thecap'24 closes against this gasket, resulting in a quick snung action.This gasket alsoprevents the escape and evaporation of the fluid. f

Y YThe cover is provided with a flange portion 25 adapted to close overthe body member so that the edge of the cover rests upon the ledge Io asshown in Fig. 5. The compartment 2I closes over the shield I4.

The cover is provided with integral lug-like latch members 26 on theside portions of its iiange adapted to engage the integral keepers 21 onthe body member, the sides of the cover being springable or springingsumciently to allow a snap engagement of the latch members with thecover.

'The shield I4 protects the cigarette package from the flame of theigniter.

. The tubular shell 9 prevents the uid from coming into Contact with theplastic material of the casing. The case is'well adapted for carrying inthe pocket and may be made in attractive colors and is very attractivein design.

While the structure is designed to receive a complete package ofcigarettes, it will of course be understood that cigarettes may beplaced loosely in the cigarettecompartment although they are betterprotected and less exposed when the case is opened if the entire packageis inserted. Standard types of packages may be inserted Without injuryto the cigarettes Which are conventionally illustrated at 28.

We Vhave illustrated and described our invention in a highly attractiveand practical embodiment thereof. We have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe,Y certain modifications and adaptations as it is believed thatythis disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adaptour invention as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what vte 1 body member and abut thesaid cover ledge thereon, and a snuiier cap arranged in saidcornplernental lighter chamber of said cover to enclose the projectingend of the lighter and the ignition means thereof.V

2. A combined cigarette case and igniter comprising an integral bodymember of molded plastic material having a comnartmentof substantiallyrectangular Gross section and of such dimensions as to receive a packageof cigarettes with the upper end of the package projecting therefrom,

Y the fr-ont, `wall of the compartment having inclaim as new and desireto secureby @letters Patent is:

l. A combined cigarette case and lighter-comprising an integral bodymember of molded plastic material having a compartmentof;sub.st/,antiallyV rectangular cross section and of such dimensions yas to receive a package of cigarettes withthe upper end of the packageprojecting therefrom, the. iront.. Wall of. theoolnoertment. .havinginternal longitudinally, extending and laterally spaced ribs withoutwardly inclined inner edge portions, said ribs acting to. wedginglyengage a cigarette package wi. n. the compartment, said body memberalso. having a longitudinal. boss-.like enlargement on the iront Wallthereof-v ehambered to provide a. .lighter compartment andhavinginternallongitudinally extending `ritos with curved `innereidgescoacting. with .theinner Wall of.; the

chamb.er.to receive andremovably support a cylindrical lighter, thebodmembel hailing a 'peripheral rib spaced from its upper. edge.providing d Cover ledgaa. cylindrical lightergarranged l in said lighterchamber to. project therefrom and provided with ignition meansY atitsproiecting end and having thereon an angular guard member with onearm thereofv retainingly engaged with the lighter at 'the inner. side,of its ignition means and supported 'upon the. end edge ofztheignitionchamber wall, the other arm projectingupwardly and constituting a shield`between thelrigniter meansA and thecigarette. package, acover memberof: moldedplastic. material hinged tothel rear Awall of said body memberand having a comparte 1 ment therein complemental to. said cigarette.compartment of said body member and adaptedtoreceive the. projecting"end off a cigarette.' package therein and said shield,said cover memberhaving a' boss-like extension on its swinging end chambered to.complement said lightere'cham'ber,

said cover member having a ange portion in itsV edge'adapted to closeover the. upper. end of. the

'ter-nal' longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribs withoutwardly inclined inner edge r portions, said kribs, acting towedgingly engage a cigarette package Within the compartment, said bodyAmember Valsoljlaving a longitudinal bosslike enlargementon'the frontwall thereof chamvel() bered to provide a lighter compartment adapted toreceive a lighter, a, lighter arranged in said lighter .Chamber to.ptoieot thereirorn orovided with ignition means. at its Rloie ng end, ecoter-.member oi molded; plaotio, material hinged to the-rear.weilfofisaidnodyf member' and having commit-m t.. therein comptent .SaidQigarette Comp. tment of said. bode mem r and adapted. to.reoeivethe-oloieoting endet ga.- rette. package. therein, .said @overme. leer rtiaviiig a boss-like extension on its'swinginggv4 end.chanibored. tooeomolement. Said .lighter and a Soulier Cep arr. nged.in. Said. .Comeiomeatal lighter chamber.- oi Saidtooverto enclosotheprojecting end. of the lighter. and. the. .ignition meensthereotWilli/.IAM H. Bite entgegnete. einen The following references are c1"record the Great. Britain June. 2e, 192s

